[Toyanvil]

Looking at a map, it looks like you can ride from Apple Valley to Lake Arrowhead off-road taking the 173. I have family in Apple Valley so the plan is to bring the TW in my truck and then ride to Lake Arrowhead have lunch and then back to Apple Valley. My question is can it be done, what time of year and who wants to go with me?

 

[Bullspit]

Sounds like fun. Spring or summer would be the time to go and I would like to be included, schedule permitting!

 

[Splinter]

X2 with what Bullspit is saying. I would love to join if the scheduling works out.

 

[lizrdbrth]

The state has permanently closed the offroad portion 173. Fortunately there are about 34 legal workarounds on numbered trails and roads ranging from all-paved to graded to scary.



Summer through fall are always a safe bet. Winter's sketchy depending on snowfall. Spring runoff can make things a bit sloppy with high water in the streams and some mucky sections, but usually doable. Wrightwood's more reliable year-round with essentially the same draw if you want some dirt and a quick lunch.



Hit us up anytime you're gunna be out this way.

 

[kj7687]

This sounds like fun. I've got to get my DR200's rear wheel laced up with a new spoke set, trued and balanced. Not sure when that'll happen. But I just got a new job so hopefully the money to do it will be available soon (old job just wasn't paying the bills, like at all...). If my bike is ready and this is planned on a day I have off, I think I might like to join. I say some time mid to late April might be a good time to plan this. Just a thought. Keep us posted.

 

[Toyanvil]

Thank you for all the replies, I was hoping it could be done. We will have to plan a day and route when the weather gets better.

 

[mdesheles]

Sounds like a good time to me count me in

 

[lizrdbrth]

I'd buy lunch just to see Toyanvil's skidplate in the flesh.



Whose dollar menu cuisine would you prefer?

 

[surfmansd]

The 173 "beginning of the dirt" off of Lake Arrowhead Rd in Hesperia is marked closed however I have traveled it in my Jeep up to Arrowhead with no problems (the gate is open). It is sketchy in a 4 wheeled vehicle because passing is impossible due to the narrowness of the road. Not sure if they started locking the gate though, it was over a year ago when I last went up it. The alternative and better option is to ride the Pilot Rock Tr. up to the top of the 173 where it is open. Here is a link to the Trail head by Lake Silverwood. Pilot Rock Trail I'll keep an eye on this post, if you guys come up with a date that works for me I would love to join you. May and June are nice months to visit Arrowhead, March and April can be a little chilly. I hope this helps...

 

[lizrdbrth]

I agree. It's a semi-hot topic around here and things have changed a bit since your last visit. They've probably devoted as many resources to posting and enforcing the closure than it would have cost to maintain the road in the first place, but that's how it is. Gate is barricaded on the Arrowhead end and it's rumored their may also be cameras. San Berdoo County's finest sometimes patrol the flood control dam and the north end of it and you don't even wanna think about outriding those dudes on a TW (Though I reserve the right to do whatever sneakin' is required during deer season

). Hardly worth the hassle for lunch when there are more interesting legal routes like Pilot Rock. We'll just be a bit hungrier when we get there.

 

[Toyanvil]

Sorry guys, I have not been keeping an eye on this. I burned a piston in my Sunbeam Alpine and have been building a new motor for it. I still plan on doing this ride, May or June sounds good to me.

 

[Toyanvil]

Hey guys it looks like the last weekend in June the 29-30 I will be in Apple Valley. I will be bringing my TW for a little ride, if anyone would like to do a breakfast or lunch ride let me know. We can ride around Apple Valley or I can truck it up to Arrowhead or Big Bear. I am looking to do some fire roads nothing hard core.